WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Heavyweight clash in Ikenne as Africa’s U-17 women enter final battle for World Cup places
Eight nations. Eight journeys. Eight dreams of reaching Morocco for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup this October.
This weekend, in Ndola, Abidjan, Nairobi, and Ikenne, African women’s football enters its decisive phase, as the final round of qualifiers kicks off.
And each match-up brings its own tension, narrative, and ambition.
Zambia v Benin:
Zambia continues its rise in youth football. Quarter-finalists at the last U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, the Copper Princesses enter this final round with greater maturity and confidence.
Backed by continuity in the coaching staff, Zambia hopes to seize a commanding advantage in the first leg. Playing at home in the familiar Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, the pressure won’t faze them — but the stakes are high: avoid being caught off-guard by Benin’s momentum.
Their opponents, Benin, represent the bold underdog. Disciplined and opportunistic, the Beninese eliminated Mali in the last round with little fanfare but great effectiveness. They now believe another upset is possible. With physical presence and direct play, they can hurt teams. The mental battle will be crucial: absorb Zambia’s waves of pressure and strike with precision. If they leave Ndola with a respectable scoreline, all will be to play for in the second leg.
Nigeria v Algeria:
Quarter-finalists at the last World Cup, the Flamingos enter the tie with a commanding reputation. On home soil, in a stadium they know intimately, Nigeria aims to settle the contest early. With an experienced core, fluid style, and international poise, the hosts are determined to avoid late drama and underline their status as continental leaders.
Algeria, meanwhile, arrives without pressure. Less structured but full of ambition, this young group is evolving quickly. Aware of the challenge, they see it as a valuable opportunity. Away from home and with few certainties, they will rely on their strengths — boldness, vertical play, and relentless spirit.
Kenya v Cameroon: two visions, one showdown
Newcomers to the continental scene, Kenya’s U-17 Harambee Starlets are turning heads. Buoyed by home support and youthful energy, they hope to carry their dream through this historic qualifier. But against Cameroon, passion alone won’t be enough. They’ll need composure, tactical accuracy, and the ability to manage high and low moments.
Cameroon, a seasoned force in African football, won’t leave room for improvisation. Preparation has been meticulous. The Lionesses are expected to bring physical intensity, territorial control, and clinical finishing. Their biggest threat: underestimating a fearless Kenyan side writing its own history.
Côte d’Ivoire v Guinea: Regional derby under pressure
This regional clash promises fireworks in Abidjan. Côte d’Ivoire v Guinea — two neighbours, two rebuilding projects, two contrasting styles. Backed by a rejuvenated home crowd and serious preparation, the Ivorian U-17s are looking to strike early and hard. For months, this team has been building quietly but with purpose. Now, on their turf, they have a chance to make a statement.
Guinea remains unpredictable. At times, they can be devastating. With pace, strong transitions, and the element of surprise, they thrive in the shadows. Lesser known, they may use that to their advantage. The key for Guinea: stay emotionally composed in Abidjan and return to Conakry with a fighting chance.
The Fixtures
SATURDAY
- Nigeria v Algeria: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne – 15:00 GMT
- Zambia v Benin: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola – 13:00 GMT
SUNDAY
- Kenya v Cameroon: Nyayo National Stadium , Nairobi– 20 April – 12:00 GMT
- Côte d’Ivoire v Guinea: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan – 18:00 GMT
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Spain thrashed England 4-0 to move a step closer to automatic qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup finals, with Germany booking their spot thanks to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Norway in the penultimate round of European qualifiers on Friday.
With the top teams from each of the four A groups qualifying automatically, Germany’s win gave them an unassailable four-point lead over Norway in Group A4 with one game left, while Spain and England are both locked on 12 points at the top of Group A3.
England’s hopes of securing a spot with a win in Mallorca were quickly snuffed out, with Patri Guijarro giving the Spaniards the lead in the 19th minute and Alexia Putellas making it 2-0 before the break.
There appeared to be nothing England could do to stop the Spanish juggernaut, with Putellas adding a second goal 10 minutes after the break and Claudio Pina putting the icing on the cake with a goal from a superb pass by Aitana Bonmati to make it 4-0.
England retain a chance of qualifying directly, but they will have to get a better result when they host Ukraine next Tuesday than Spain manage in their final fixture away to Iceland.
There was late drama in Group A2 as Ireland’s Amber Barrett netted a 90th-minute goal to snatch a 3-2 home win over the Netherlands to move above the Dutch and into second place in the group, one point behind leaders France, who beat Poland 2-0.
The Irish play France in their final game in Grenoble, with the Dutch taking on Poland at home.
Earlier, Pernille Harder came off the bench and scored the winner for Denmark as they downed neighbours Sweden 2-1 to end the Swedes’ hopes of qualifying directly.
The Danes top Group A1 on 11 points ahead of their final game against bottom side Serbia, while second-placed Italy, who are three points behind the leaders, next host Sweden.
-Reuters
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s Falconets have been handed a challenging but promising draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after they were placed in Group F alongside former champions Spain, China PR and debutants New Caledonia.
The draw for the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was conducted in Lodz on Thursday, setting the stage for the tournament scheduled to run from 5 to 27 September across four Polish cities.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s most successful teams at the competition, will face a stern opening-round test against European powerhouse Spain, which won the title in Costa Rica in 2022. China PR also brings a considerable pedigree to the group, while New Caledonia will be making their maiden appearance at the global finals.
The Falconets will be hoping to improve on their performance at the last edition and rekindle memories of their best outings, when they reached the final in 2010 and 2014.
Hosts Poland headline Group A alongside Argentina, Benin and Mexico, while defending champions Korea DPR begin their title defence in Group E against Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal.
Other intriguing group-stage fixtures include Brazil, England, Canada and Tanzania in Group B, while France, Korea Republic, Ghana and Ecuador make up Group C. Group D features former champions Japan and USA alongside New Zealand and Italy.
The full draw is as follows:
- Group A: Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Benin
- Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Tanzania
- Group C: France, Korea Republic, Ghana, Ecuador
- Group D: Japan, USA, New Zealand, Italy
- Group E: Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal
- Group F: Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia
The tournament will mark Poland’s first major global women’s football event, with matches to be played in Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Lodz and Sosnowiec.
Six nations — Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal and Tanzania — will make their debut appearances, while Korea DPR and the USA are both chasing a record fourth title.
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Nigeria’s Falconets will discover their opponents for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when the official draw is conducted in Łódź, Poland, on May 15, as preparations intensify for another campaign on the global stage.
The draw ceremony, confirmed by football’s world governing body, FIFA, will take place in one of the tournament’s host cities and will be broadcast live worldwide on FIFA+, YouTube and TikTok.
Nigeria, one of the most successful nations in the history of the competition, heads into the draw with renewed ambition after securing qualification for the tournament, which will run from September 5 to 27 across the Polish cities of Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Łódź and Sosnowiec.
The Falconets remain one of Africa’s strongest representatives at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having reached the final twice in the competition’s history. The Nigerian side will now await the outcome of the draw to know their group-stage opponents among the 24 qualified teams expected to battle for the title.
Former Polish international and current women’s national team coach Nina Patalon and French football legend Laura Georges will participate in the ceremony, underscoring the growing profile of women’s football globally.
Speaking ahead of the event, Patalon described the draw as a defining moment for both participating teams and supporters.
“The draw always brings a special sense of excitement, as it is the moment when the competition truly starts to feel real for both the teams and the fans,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of hosting the tournament in Poland, noting that it could inspire more young girls to embrace football and further accelerate the development of the women’s game in the country.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is expected to showcase some of the brightest emerging talents in women’s football, with Nigeria’s Falconets aiming to make another strong impression on the world stage
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